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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Yes, I know...it has been forever! I promise to try better next time. I won't leave you for so long. It looks like we have a lot of catching up to do...

Well, I've had some VERY busy weeks lately with the school year ending, which means that I had to get gifts read for Nicholas' teachers and bus driver. I absolutely LOVE that Nicholas is taking advanced classes at school. He truly is very smart, but that also means triple the number of gifts to send in! But, it is all worth it. I came up with a really cute idea for his teachers, that "hopefully" they would be able to use over the summer. Since the hubby is a teacher and I worked at a private school back in the day, we really try to send in gifts that the teachers will appreciate and USE. I can't tell you how many bottles of Bath & Body Works lotions I received over the years that are still in my gift tote. I started to wonder if they thought I smelled bad, but then realized that smelly stuff just seems to be a typical gift. Haha. Here's a pic of what I sent in. Total cost per gift worked out to be around $11, plus the kids got to enjoy the leftover snacks (bonus!).

The buckets were filled with a personalized water bottle that had crystal light drink packets in it, a beach towel, snacks and candy.

The same week was filled with lots of cakes. My favorite one was made for my cousin's graduation. I haven't seen some of my extended family in 10 years or so, so when my aunt asked if I would make my cousin's cake, I was honored. We drove out to their house for a party and spent some time catching up with everyone. It was neat for my kids to meet a whole different side of the family! My cousin, the one I made the cake for, has been accepted into the Navy Seal program as a Navy Diver and leaves this fall. So, we only thought it was appropriate to make a Navy Ship Cake.

The hubby had to help guide me on this one because my ship looked like a cruise ship for a while. He said it needed more weapons!

I also made a graduation cake for a friend's sister. She is a huge Beatles fan.

Oh, and I made the awesome BEATS headphones for a good friend. They were a lot of fun to make.

And, while I've been away, I purchased my new CUPCAKE MOBILE!!!! Yay!!!! Here she is.....

Do you like the little cupcake antenna topper? (Thanks Mom!)

Since then I have ordered some advertising for the back window and can't wait to put it on! I'll post pics hopefully next week. So, what's going on now??? Well, my first day at the Snellville Farmers' Market will be this weekend. I have made product lists, gone shopping, ordered promotional items, and I'm not even close to being ready yet. I am overwhelmed, stressed, nervous.... VERY nervous. What if people don't buy my treats? What if they don't like them? AHHH! But, at the same time, I am very excited to have this opportunity to share my sweet treats with the community. And, it will help by some time until we hopefully hear some good news about the Georgia Cottage Food Law!

Monday, May 7, 2012

No, I haven't been hiding under a rock. I'm in the process of getting all my little duckies in a row. And let me tell you, I wish it was a little easier! With the kickstarter project being funded, I have just received all of your wonderful donations. I have sent surveys to each of my backers to get some more info for their rewards. The projected start date for rewards to begin is June 4. If you haven't received your survey, contact me asap!

My amazing parents surprised me with a little bit of homework to help me get things in order.

The books have been very helpful thus far, but still have a good bit of reading to do!

I also took a trip to the shared kitchen to do a walk through. Here are a few pictures from the tour. I have to admit that it's not quite what I was expecting, and it is a LONG hike from my home, but it looks to be the best "next step". And, the manager of the place was really nice and very helpful. She's been in my shoes, just as many of the other members have.

Here's the outside of the building...

When you first walk in, they have a small table with chairs that could be used for consultations. Once you get back to the kitchen area, it sort of splits to a side more geared towards catering and a side mostly used for baking. These are on the catering side.

Around the corner was the wash room...

And ice/sink area...also had the walk in fridge/freezer (not pictured).

I didn't get a pic of the baking side because there were people working in the space, but it basically consisted of a double convection oven with stainless steel prep tables. There were two areas like that, and also another area with just big prep tables. They have large mixers that can be wheeled to your working station as well.

Here's the dry storage.

I have a good bit of work to do before I can get the membership there, as well as licensing, insurance, etc after I get the membership. But, I've made progress and now at least know what needs to be done next.

My other big business factor is getting another car! Kyle and I have been a one-car home for a few years now. When I decided to stay at home after C was born, it didn't make sense having two car payments since one vehicle was almost always parked in the driveway. So, we sold Kyle's truck and have managed pretty well without it. I am still at home with C on a daily basis, but the opportunity is there for the hubs to get a ride with a coworker if needed. But, in order for me to work in a shared kitchen an hour from my house, I need SOMETHING to drive. And, it needs to have enough room for some pretty big cakes in the back, have the seats lie completely flat, AND be an ultra smooth ride. I can't have cakes falling apart from a rugged riding vehicle. So, I'm on the hunt to find a vehicle that will do all of these things AND stay within my conservative budget.